For fans of state-of-the-art football stadiums, there's never been a better time to be alive.
Not only did Tottenham finally open their brand new ground (which it must be said is absolutely gorgeous), but in April Real Madrid unveiled their renderings for the
AC Milan & Inter (New San Siro)
Reports earlier this year suggested that AC Milan were 'fully embracing' the idea of moving to a new stadium after almost 100 years at San Siro.
The news suggested that Milan are sold on the idea of investing €600m in a 'new San Siro' just a few hundred yards from their current location, and the only thing missing is confirmation from the city of Milan.
It's not clarified whether Inter are on board with the idea, but if plans go ahead, it's expected that they will continue to share, as the report details plans for separate entrances for the two sides.
See a full article on AC Milan building a new stadium here.
Atalanta (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)
Atalanta will begin renovation work on their ancient stadium this year, after the club bought the ground from the local council for €11.2m.
New images of how the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D'Italia should look after the redevelopment!
— Atalanta Now (@AtalantaNow) February 24, 2019
Work will start this April and once finished will be called the Gewiss Arena with a final capacity of 23,370
#GoAtalantaGo
Images via Passione Stadi - Facebook pic.twitter.com/iNrMlNwW0t
The project will boost the stadium's capacity from 21,300 to 24,000, and, according to the Stadium Business, Atalanta has previously outlined that other key features of the initiative include, "‘squaring off’ the two end stands of the stadium to connect them with other sections of the venue, as well as building a commercial area in the underground part of the stadium."
Barcelona (Camp Nou)
The remodelling - which will occur between 2020 and 2023 - will be done without Barcelona having to find a new home, and will incur an estimated cost of €360m.
Bologna (Stadio Renato Dall'Ara)
In January this year, Serie A outfit Bologna announced plans to completely redevelop the Dall’Ara, which first opened in 1927.
Bologna FC unveil plans to upgrade the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara https://t.co/w9dm3BS3Ap pic.twitter.com/7dZQ6CtSQm
— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) January 25, 2019
The work will involve reducing the stadium's capacity to 27,000 (from 31,000), with room for expansion to 29,000, as well as the installation of a new roof and stands closer to the pitch. The project is expected to take five years to complete.
Celta Vigo (Abanca Balaídos)
O Celtiña have been in their home ground since 1982, and has undergone several redevelopments over the years - including in 2002/03 when the club qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Since 2015 Balaídos has been undergoing major renovations, which will become a fully covered stadium with capacity for 31,000 spectators (current capacity is 29,000), and, according to Marca, will include:
Crystal Palace (Selhurst Park)
The Eagles have already been granted the green light (in principle) to expand Selhurst Park's capacity from 26,000 to over 34,000.
Croydon Council resolve to grant permission for the redevelopment of Selhurst Park!
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 19, 2018
More info https://t.co/8QfuJXVeIW pic.twitter.com/QqXWSUYawk
However, the club are still in talks with Croydon Council and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, with approval from both needed before final planning permission is issued.
If that all goes to plan, then Palace will start work on the main stand this summer to have it ready by the beginning of the 2020/21 season.
Empoli (Stadio Carlo Castellani)
The fantastically named Stadio Carlo Castellani has been home to Empoli since 1965, but in 2018 the Serie A outfit announced that it would be launching a complete overhaul of the ground in a project financed through a public-private partnership - the first of its kind in Italy.
Empoli are ready to invest €25 million to make a new stadium:
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) April 29, 2017
It'll hold 20k people & be ready by 2020!
City now just needs to approve 爛 pic.twitter.com/tuwmCQydqv
The new ground - well, almost new (three of the four stands will be rebuilt) - will accommodate 20,000 fans, and Empoli have stated that the ground will be "be sustainable from a social, economic and environmental perspective thanks to a configuration that will make it a zero emissions facility."
Everton (Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium)
After plans for Everton's new 52,000-seater stadium were 'leaked' earlier this year, the club released the official stunning designs for the venue on the banks of the river Mersey.
| It's time to reveal proposed designs for our iconic new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey... #EFC pic.twitter.com/U2ZrOS9LCN
— Everton (@Everton) July 25, 2019
The plans suggest that should work start by 2020, the Toffees could move into their new stadium in 2023 - finally saying goodbye to Goodison Park, their home ground since 1892.
Feyenoord (Feyenoord Stadium)
Stadiums next to a body of water just look better, don't they? If Everton's wasn't enough for you, take a gander at the renderings of Feyenoord's new home in Rotterdam below.
As we await @Feyenoord's evaluation of the stadium's business case, new renders of the proposed 63,000-seater are presented. As well as some updates: https://t.co/AaGLmz4kZR pic.twitter.com/ID8dJymax2
— StadiumDB.com (@StadiumDB) September 4, 2018
Feyenoord's ground - which will replace the historic but ageing Stadium de Kuip - will sit on the banks of the river Maas, and with a capacity of 63,000, will be the largest football ground in the Netherlands when it opens in 2023.
Fiorentina (Nuovo Stadio Fiorentina)
Fiorentina currently play their football at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, though the club have been looking to leave the ancient ground (opened in 1931) since 2008.
Though construction has not yet begun on the ground - thanks to a corruption scandal and difficulties in securing a new site for the stadium - Florence's mayor has said that the arena could be ready for use by 2023.
The stadium would be built on the Mercafir site in Florence and would cost around €420m. And holy heck, if the video is anything to go by, it's going to look absolutely stunning.
Hungary (Puskas Arena)
The 68,000-seater Puskas Arena in Budapest is due for completion by the end of 2019, in time for Euro 2020 where it will host three group stage matches and a round of 16 fixture.
Budapest
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@UEFAEURO) July 11, 2019
️ Puskás Aréna
ℹ️ Due to have a capacity of over 65,000
️ https://t.co/b0vCWqjTMa pic.twitter.com/vXv32izCVc
Built on the site of the ageing Ference Puskas Stadium, the €600m venue will also become the national stadium of Hungary.
The characteristics of the original ground will be referenced in the new design hugely important, while the tower of the old stadium will be used host a museum dedicated to Puskas - who else)?
Inter Miami CF (Inter Miami Stadium)
David Beckham's new MLS expansion team will kick off in 2020, with its permanent home due to open in Miami a season or two later (pending financial and location decisions).
Sneak peek of our new stadium design for @MiaFreedomPark #bebold #freedomtodream pic.twitter.com/m817yE2CKg
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 9, 2019
Beckham's ownership group negotiated a real estate deal with the city of Miami to redevelop the city's only golf course into a 25,000 seat capacity ground, mall and office park.
Liverpool (Anfield)
In 2016 the Reds completed the expansion of the new Main Stand at their historic ground to increase Anfield's capacity to just over 54,000.
But Liverpool aren't quite finished tinkering just yet. Last year, club chief executive Peter Moore revealed that the Merseyside outfit were considering adding a further 6,000 seats to the Anfield Road End, taking the ground's total capacity to over 60,000.
In July, Moore teased fans further by saying: "I think in the next few months you’re going to hear from us as regards to what those [stadium development] plans will be. I can tell you definitively it won’t be the rather small-to-medium plans we had recently."
Manchester United (Old Trafford)
The Theatre of Dreams is one of the most iconic grounds in sports, but club officials at United have decided Old Trafford needs a lick of paint and greater capacity.
Plans have been drawn up three times in the last 10 years to expand the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, which would take the stadium's capacity to just over 80,000.
Those plans keep getting delayed, adjusted or cancelled because of the logistical issues with redeveloping Old Trafford (there's a railway line behind the stadium with houses just beyond), as well as the cost (over £200m for around 10,000 extra seats with limited additional corporate facilities).
Furthermore, the Red Devils would likely have to vacate the ground whilst work is being done, so it may be some time before Old Trafford gets redeveloped.
Napoli (Stadio San Paolo)
When the owner of your club calls your own stadium a 'cesspool', it's probably time to find a new home.
Le Stadio San Paolo... pic.twitter.com/V45NCvCvbv
— FrSerieA (@FrSerieA) September 18, 2018
Such is the case for Napoli, with president Aurelio De Laurentiis currently looking at options to finance the building of a new stadium (including a
The Stadio San Paolo is currently going through a €23m redevelopment phase in preparation for the 2019 Universiade (international student and youth competition), but De Laurentiis is pushing hard for a new stadium altogether. However, obtaining building permits and financial investment from the city is proving difficult.
Raja Casablanca & Wydad Casablanca (Grand Stade de Casablanca)
This stadium was meant to be part of Morocco's World Cup in 2010 (had they won the bid instead of South Africa), and then again for the 2026 tournament, but unsuccessful bids meant that it will just have to be used by the city's two club sides, as well as the Moroccan national team.
#FIFAVisit2026 #Casablanca
— Morocco 2026 (@Morocco2026_EN) April 19, 2018
The task force discovered the site of the future "Grand Stade de Casablanca". With a capacity of 93,000 seats, the stadium will welcome sports, music and cultural events for years to come #TogetherForOneGoal #Authenticity pic.twitter.com/5dc6VnSBhi
Undeterred, Morocco now plan to use the stadium - which will have a capacity of 93,000 once it's completed in 2025 - for the 2030 World Cup. Third time's the charm lads.
Real Madrid (Santiago Bernabeu)
Real Madrid's impressive
Take a look at the plans for the new Santiago Bernabéu! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/ntXWHidlaa
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) April 2, 2019
With an estimated completion date of 2022, the new plans include a retractable roof, encasing the entire ground in stainless steel, and a new commercial space will help bring in €150m in additional annual revenue for the club.
See a full article on the
Roma (Stadio della Roma)
The Serie A giants will be moving into their new ground in 2022 (scheduled), saying goodbye to the Stadio Olimpico, which they currently share with rivals Lazio.
The inspiration for the Stadio della Roma is the Colosseum, which will be reflected in the stone “scrim” that envelops the outside of the stadium. The seating capacity will be 52,000, though this can be extended to 60,000.
APPROVED! This evening, the club's plans to build Stadio della Roma have been granted final approval pic.twitter.com/AvgK38WMh6
— Stadio della Roma (@StadiodellaRoma) December 5, 2017
While the designs and concept of the new venue are amazing, construction hasn't actually begun yet. In March, Football Italia reported that Marcello De Vito – President of Rome city council’s assembly – was arrested after he allegedly took bribes from Luca Parnasi, contractor for the Stadio della Roma before he was detained himself last year. Despite the news, the club have insisted that construction on the new ground will go ahead as planned.
Steaua Bucuresti (Stadionul Steaua)
The €77m Stadionul Steaua is set to. be ready in the early months of 2020, after two years of construction.
The new Steaua stadium will look AMAZING. Reminds me of the Olympiastadion in Munchen in a way... Photo via @as_steaua1947 pic.twitter.com/q1ejKMNkye
— Emanuel Roşu (@Emishor) March 13, 2018
The venue which will be home to Steaua Bucuresti's home games will have a capacity of just 32,000 but it is easily one of the most visually interesting designs, with its ultra-modern star-like facade.
Valencia (Nou Mestalla)
If you thought Tottenham took a while to build and move into their new ground, you haven't been paying attention to what's going on with Valencia.
In 2007 - yes,
Work carried on for two years, but was then halted for financial reasons during the economic crisis, and Valencia has continued to play in their old ground since.
However, Los Ches signed an agreement with Deloitte last year to help their transfer to the new ground, and the club are expected to finally move into their new home ahead of the 2020/21 La Liga season.
Source : 90min